Poor fishies.
A new UB study revealed human antidepressants--you know, the Prozac and Zoloft commercials-- are building up in the brains of bass, walleye, and other fish common to the Great Lakes region.
High concentrations of these drugs have been identified in the brain tissue of 10 fish species found in the Niagara river. Though scientists have not studied the behavior of fish, they conclude this could affect their ability to react to predators.
Scientists said treatment plants aren't keeping up with the times. UB chemistry professor Dr. Diana Aga said, "Wastewater treatment focuses narrowly on killing disease-causing bacteria and on extracting solid matter...antidepressants, which are found in the urine of people who use the drugs, are largely ignored."
But there's some decent news...
Dr. Randolph Singh, the study's co-author, says, "The levels of antidepressants found do not pose a danger to humans who eat fish, especially in the U.S., where most people do not eat organs like the brain."
